Workers’ compensation is a major expense for most Florida businesses. It is important for employers to understand their duties and responsibilities under Florida law. When workers’ compensation insurance is purchased as required by Florida law, business owners are protected from being sued, except for under special circumstances, when an employee gets hurt or ill at the workplace, Under workers’ compensation, when an employee gets hurt on the job, the insurance company will pay all medical bills and partial wage replacement for the employee.

All businesses in Florida, with 4 or more employees, full-time or part-time, must have workers’ compensation insurance. Corporate officers count as employees unless the officer has been issued an exemption.

All construction industry businesses must have Workers’ Compensation, unless the business owners have exemptions and there are no employees. The owner is included unless they specifically file for an exemption.

Florida State and local governments are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Farmers who have more than five regular employees and/or twelve or more additional workers for seasonal agricultural labor lasting thirty (30) days or more are also required to carry workers’ compensation coverage.

The rule used to be that only the owners of a business can file for exemption, which means they don’t need to pay for Workers’ Compensation coverage, because they wouldn’t sue themselves. Florida Statutes have been amended to include Limited Liability Company (LLC) members as employees. LLC members will be included on their Workers’ Compensation insurance policy; however, they may elect to be exempt by filing a Notice of Election to Be Exempt with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Florida State and local governments are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Farmers who have more than five regular employees and/or twelve or more additional workers for seasonal agricultural labor lasting thirty (30) days or more are also required to carry workers’ compensation coverage.